Legally driving with International + Swiss License

[moogradod]

1. If on non-immi-O Visa in the process of obtaining the 1 Year retirement extension, how long could you legally drive with the internatinal driving license plus the home Swiss licence ?

 

2. If on Tourist visa I assume that dring the 90 days period you could alsways drive only with the obove

 

3. Is there any chance / process that you could obtain a 1 year thai license while only on visa  exempt entry ?

[cooked]

I'm Swiss. For about a year until I got my visa extension I showed my International driving license when stopped. One policeman actually held it upside down at one point. They don't really know what it is but they do respect paper work, I wouldn't worry about it. The IDL was only ever really needed when I got my provisional license.

I never showed my Swiss license, no point in confusing the poor sods.

When I was doing this I believe the IDL was valid for one year, but things may have changed since then.

Anyway, you can get a Thai license while still a tourist, but you need to inquire at your local license centre about this, rules vary across the provinces.

[moogradod]

Thanks. Sounds good. I have heard a story where one got away with showing a Swiss Swimming bath subscription with photo and stamp (A "Badi-Ausweis", as a Swiss you know what that is)

[Peterw42]

Firstly there is no such thing as an International driving license, its just another (incorrect ) name for an International driving permit (IDP). An IDP is a translation document that "accompanies" your real license. 

Read the fine print, it will say this is not a license, this is a translation doc.

 

If you visit Thailand for under 90 days, you drive on your home license, as per the international treaties and Thai traffic act. An IDP accompanies your home license as a translation document, so the police call tell you are not handing over your gym membership card (as in post above). An IDL, IDP is not a stand alone license.

 

After you get a long stay visa (ie more than 90 days) you are required , in the Thai traffic act, to get a local license.

 

Technically, if your home license is of a certain standard, in English, photo etc, an IDP is not actually required as the international treaties (home country and Thailand has signed) accept other countries licenses. However, the Thai police are either unaware or will still ask for an IDP as its a great little money earner.

[Kwasaki]

5 hours ago, moogradod said:

If on non-immi-O Visa

If your on a non imm at the mo why not get your Thai DL now.

[maprao]

Read the insurance policy for the vehicle you are driving to ensure it does not say must have a Thai valid DL for cover to valid. They often do. Everything is fine until you get into an accident.

[Kwasaki]

5 hours ago, maprao said:

Read the insurance policy for the vehicle you are driving to ensure it does not say must have a Thai valid DL for cover to valid. They often do. Everything is fine until you get into an accident.

That's why there is compulsory Thai gov insurance for vehicles just make sure it has a valid road disc.

[stevenl]

23 hours ago, Peterw42 said:

Firstly there is no such thing as an International driving license, its just another (incorrect ) name for an International driving permit (IDP). An IDP is a translation document that "accompanies" your real license. 

Read the fine print, it will say this is not a license, this is a translation doc.

 

If you visit Thailand for under 90 days, you drive on your home license, as per the international treaties and Thai traffic act. An IDP accompanies your home license as a translation document, so the police call tell you are not handing over your gym membership card (as in post above). An IDL, IDP is not a stand alone license.

 

After you get a long stay visa (ie more than 90 days) you are required , in the Thai traffic act, to get a local license.

 

Technically, if your home license is of a certain standard, in English, photo etc, an IDP is not actually required as the international treaties (home country and Thailand has signed) accept other countries licenses. However, the Thai police are either unaware or will still ask for an IDP as its a great little money earner.

Excellent post.

 

To answer another question from the OP, the temporary license is 2 years. And yes, also on visa exempt one can get that, provided you can get a certificate of residence from immigration.

[Kwasaki]

1 hour ago, stevenl said:

Excellent post.

 

To answer another question from the OP, the temporary license is 2 years. And yes, also on visa exempt one can get that, provided you can get a certificate of residence from immigration.

Agree a good clear post by Pete42 but would like to point out our local DLT province won't give a Thai DL unless non immi don't know of others that will not though.

[stevenl]

6 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

Agree a good clear post by Pete42 but would like to point out our local DLT province won't give a Thai DL unless non immi don't know of others that will not though.

Would be the exception.

 

Officially for 5 year license non-immigrant or extension of stay is required, for 2 year (temporary) license there are no such requirements.

[stevenl]

On 1/12/2018 at 1:11 PM, maprao said:

Read the insurance policy for the vehicle you are driving to ensure it does not say must have a Thai valid DL for cover to valid. They often do. Everything is fine until you get into an accident.

Do they? Looking forward to examples.

[maprao]

Do they? Looking forward to examples.

Hi Steven. No need both my car policies state it(class 1 x 1 class 2 x1). A Thai driving licence is not hard to get if you already have an EU or US Licence.  

My free advice is offered with no obligation to follow. If your policy does not say this then well done.

 

To all others it only takes 5 minutes to read the policy schedule that you have. Please check your individual policies and drive safely[emoji106]

 

 like another poster said if not covered the compulsory sticker will cover damage to others...just not your own damage

 

 

 

 

 

[stevenl]

14 hours ago, maprao said:

Hi Steven. No need both my car policies state it(class 1 x 1 class 2 x1). A Thai driving licence is not hard to get if you already have an EU or US Licence.  

My free advice is offered with no obligation to follow. If your policy does not say this then well done.

 

To all others it only takes 5 minutes to read the policy schedule that you have. Please check your individual policies and drive safely

 

 like another poster said if not covered the compulsory sticker will cover damage to others...just not your own damage

 

 

 

 

 

Again, looking forward to examples.

[maprao]

Again, looking forward to examples.

No intention of posting examples my policy is what it is. If you choose not accept what I say I can live with that.

To everyone else
Please read your own policies for respective clauses with regards to license requirements.

I bid this topic farewell [emoji5]

Sent from my [device_name] using http://Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[stevenl]

11 hours ago, maprao said:

No intention of posting examples my policy is what it is. If you choose not accept what I say I can live with that.

To everyone else
Please read your own policies for respective clauses with regards to license requirements.

I bid this topic farewell

Sent from my [device_name] using http://Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

"Please read your own policies for respective clauses with regards to license requirements."

This makes sense.